Melbana Energy Limited has announced that the Alameda-2 appraisal well drilling program has begun at its Block 9 PSC area onshore Cuba.
The drilling rig and spread were discharged from their previous operation last Sunday and are currently being stacked and shipped to Melbana’s Alameda location, along with the casing and other inventory. Within the following week, the onsite camp amenities should be functioning. The cellar has been finished in preparation for the installation of the conductor pipe.
Work done by Melbana’s on-site management team over the previous two months facilitated efficient equipment transportation, and the Company has procured the full cohort of equipment, inventory, and materials required to begin drilling in a timely manner now that rig mobilisation has begun.
The overall depth of Alameda-2 is scheduled to be 1,960mMD (1,840mTVD). The appraisal program’s goal is to allow oil to flow from the three producing units previously found in the shallowest of the three oil-bearing reservoirs. The Amistad structure’s quantities have been independently assessed to be 1.9 billion barrels of Oil in Place and 88 million barrels of Prospective Resource (unrisked gross best estimate).
“The formal commencement of mobilisation is a great development. We are excited to get started. Operations on the ground are progressing well and the Melbana team is working in lockstep with the various contractors to establish sound foundations for the appraisal well program. Our CFO and I will be on-site in Cuba for the month of June to oversee the commencement of drilling, leading up to the expected recovery of first oil samples. Now that activities are accelerating on site, the Company looks forward to providing a steady flow of updates into spud and throughout the first phase of this year’s appraisal drilling program,” Melbana Energy Executive Chairman Andrew Purcell said.
